US missiles to Turkey

(Vatican Radio) The U.S. is sending two Patriot missile batteries and 400 troops to Turkey as part of a broader effort to help the country defend itself against possible rocket strikes from Syria.

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta signed an order for the operation shortly before arriving in Turkey, on Friday, for a previously unannounced visit.

Earlier this month, NATO authorized the deployment of a missile defense system to Turkey after Ankara expressed concerns about cross-border shelling and the Syrian government's possible use of chemical weapons against rebels.

Meanwhile, Russia's foreign ministry has insisted that the country has not changed its position on Syria and "never will".

It came a day after Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Syria's government was "progressively losing control" and that "the victory of the Syrian opposition cannot be excluded".

Earlier, the ministry clarified his comments, noting he had also said there could only be a political solution.

Listen to Nathan Morley’s report: